A BRAC survey shows that low income people across Bangladesh are suffering from food crisis due to lockdown which, if not addressed urgently, can derail the government’s fight against the coronavirus. It is because they will be compelled to leave home to find their living in violation of the social distancing measures, increasing the risk of spreading the infection.
The survey that also looked at the people’s perception about the disease found that most of the people even do not have any idea about the key health message. Low income people of Bangladesh are suffering great losses in their earnings since the enforcement of social distancing measures and lockdowns last month.
Extreme poverty has risen 60 percentage points than before, while 14 percent people do not have any food at home. On the other hand, 36 percent people do not have any clear idea about measures to be taken to prevent COVID-19, found the survey. A total of 2675 respondents from low-income background in all 64 districts participated in the survey carried out from March 31 to April 5.
Most people even do not have any idea about the message that one should not directly go to any health facility with symptoms of the infection such as fever, cough, and breathing problem. 53 percent respondents said they would suggest neighbours with these symptoms to go to an urban hospital or public healthcare centre.
Only 29 percent said they would ask the patient to call on helpline. BRAC's Advocacy for Social Change programme conducted the survey with assistance from other programmes namely Microfinance, Urban Development Programme and Partnership Strengthening Unit. Recommendations
Based on the scenario drawn through survey, a number of recommendations have also been made, including the following ones. Focused large-scale awareness campaigns on prevention, management and treatment should run on TV and social media. Food assistance must be immediately reached to the millions of households across the country suffering from acute food shortage.
Otherwise they will be compelled to leave home to find their living in violation of the social distancing measures, increasing the risk of spreading corona infection. People who have returned to villages from urban centres are not enrolled in any social safety net programmes and so needs proper delivery mechanisms to get food aid immediately.
Special attention is needed to keep the agricultural value chain from stalling. Plummeting prices of agricultural products and costly transportation cost can increase rural poverty and create social unrest. The harvesting of ‘Boro’ rice will start from mid-April to continue till the end of May. Advance purchase of crops by the government can ensure the required money for the farmers to start the harvesting. Plans and mechanisms should be devised to financially assist the rural businesses to recover loss and be operative again.
Highlights of the Survey
The average household income of the 2,675 respondents was Tk 14,599 before the COVID19 epidemic. Of them, 93 percent of the respondents reported a decline in income due to the outbreak. During March 2020, their average income stood at Tk 3,742, which represents an average 75 percent decline from their family income of last month.
People in Chattogram (84 percent), Rangpur (81 percent) and Sylhet (80 percent) divisions reported higher decline in income. Due to the public holiday and lockdowns to enforce social distancing measures 72 percent reported job-loss or reduced work opportunities. 8 percent of the respondents, who are still employed, have not received their payment.
Those engaged in non-agricultural wage labour experienced more loss of income (77 percent), than the wage labourers in agriculture sector (65 percent). 51 percent of rickshaw pullers, 58 percent factory workers, 66 percent hotel/restaurant workers, and 62 percent day labourers in non-agricultural sectors reported their income reduced to zero in the current month.
14 percent have no food reserved at home, while 29 percent have 1-3 days’ food reserved. 48 percent of the respondents think that government hospitals do not treat COVID19 patients. 9 percent had no idea what to do if anyone contract the disease. Only 4 percent of the respondents have received any emergency relief support as of April 5. 47 percent of the respondents preferred food aid, while 20 percent wanted cash support.
Rural respondents are more interested in receiving food (50 percent in rural, and 44 percent in urban) support. 36 percent do not have any idea how they may cope with the loss of income. 23 percent of the total respondents (38 percent among women) hope that the government will support them in case the crisis lingers on. Bangladesh confirmed 424 cases of coronavirus so far. Of them 27 died and only 33 recovered.
